Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Pontiac Aztek owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On 2/8/2004 consumer started the vehicle and turned the windshield wipers on. The windshield wipers stopped operating and began to smoke. The vehicle caught on fire due to a malfunction in the windshield wiper motor which was replaced by the dealer. Two weeks after being repaired the windshield wipers failed twice during inclement weather, causing poor visibility to the driver while on the highway. The vehicle had an electrical fire. The windshield wipers wires were burnt up making a hole in the windshield fluid container. The consumer requested reimbursement for missing work, stress, and car payment.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Pontiac Aztek. After the contact turned the engine off, black smoke and flames appeared under the hood of the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the flames. A fire report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unavailable.
I have been having issues with my azrek shutting off on me in the middle of driving and now it wint even start. I have replaced the fuel pump and vapor sensor due to it not getting any fuel pressure. I have researched and there are 2 different recalls for my vehicle which have not been done due to my VIN not being acnowleged with the recall
2003 Pontiac Aztek.....events leading to failure- flickering lights, unusual odor. Smoke in the interior of the automobile coming from under driver's seat. Within minutes, flames came through the middle of the driver's seatand automobile became engulfed in flames, vehicle was destroyed. It was unsalvable.
My Aztek started to sputtering one morning, bringing my car to a stop. The car stalled and I would have to restart. It seemed like I couldn't go over 40 MPH. It's just kept hiccuping. I took it to a mechanic and got a new fuel and air filter. Still having problems, I replaced the idle air control valve. That didn't fix the problem. My car continued to get worse and couldn't even get anywhere. Took it to have the catalytic converter replaced, and it ran OK for about two weeks then it began to do it again. Took it back to the shop, and diagnostics read that it needed a new o2 sensor. So I replaced that and it seems like it has only gotten worse. …
My vehicle should have fallen under the lemon law due to several problems, resulting in 21 visits to the dealer in less than 3 months. Besides all of these problems, I later had to take it back because when I made a short left to right turn the vehicle would die leaving me to try to steer it to safety. It was supposed to be fixed, but recently it started doing it again. This is a dangerous problem, and is threatening the lives of everyone.I am a single mom, and this is my only transportation. The vehicle now has 81,000 miles on it, and is out of warranty. This is obviously an ongoing problem, and I can't afford to have these repairs done.I would like to turn in all of my vehicle information and problems that it has had to someone. …
2003 Pontiac Aztek has been building from ABS and brake lights and chimes to fuel gage losses all intermittent. Vehicle locks up and won't start or has started starting on its own in the garage. It is reminding me of being a kid in the 60s and playing pinball with all the lights and "specials" lighting up! Reading from online stuff I am in a group of many owners having problems that are the same. One common theme is the body control module! Is GM hiding their heads in the sand over this problem. I am going to be replacing my module as I don't want my car gasing us to death at night in my garage. Lucky my door to the garage was open today! I am totally disappointed that GM has not and the government has not made them set up and take care of these problems. No fire yet no damage yet no crash yet! And they are lucky if this hasn't hurt someone yet.
The 2003 Pontiac aztec has intermittent issues regarding the rear directional signals and now inoperable brake light(s). There are no indications of a directional signal failure except for when it is dark outside or someone behind me identifies the issue. The specific issue is that when the directional signal is used, both the rear directionals flash. There was a recall regarding this issue; however, the part identified has already been replaced, as well as every other component. After the 4th time the vehicle was in for the same issue, I was following behind the driver of the aztec. Immediately I discovered that after the repair, the back left brake light was no longer functioning. The bulb was replaced with no improvement. The vehicle is currently at the dealership at this time.
2003 Pontiac aztec, caught on fire and the vehicle had been sitting 14 hours I only had the aztec for just about 2 weeks, the fire starting under the hood in an electrical box the SUV was a total, mean while I lost my down payment of 1,000 and is still left with out transportation the insurance company paid off the loan which left me a balance owed now, responsible for the deductible and again the loss of my down payment and no car this has been an nightmare for me it has been 3 months and I still feel I should have been awarded an down payment the fire was the manufacturing fault and the insurance went only after the book value and me as a customer well nothing but misery and pain. Janice.
Aztek has stalled out without warning while driving. Stalls have taken place during low speeds (usually 10-15 MPH) and always while turning. Has resulted in stalling in the middle of a busy intersection as well as other unsafe situations. When stalls the battery light comes on and steering freezes and must restart car. Starts back up with no problem and no problem lights indicated on dashboard. Service department unable to replicate problem and find no codes set for incidents in vehicles computer. Stalling has now occurred four times, always unpredictably and inconsistently but always on full tank of gas. Vehicle has 30, 000 miles and is in very good condition otherwise.
Electrical complaints in other Aztek years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2003 Pontiac Aztek?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Pontiac Aztek, 20% of the model year's 128 complaints. The component named most often is wiring (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Pontiac Aztek electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2003 Pontiac Aztek, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Pontiac Aztek electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.